Imaging of lithographic masters



Dec. 31, 1968 J. P. KLOSKY ETAL I 3,419,328

IMAGING OF LITHOGRAPHIC MASTERS Filed May 11, 1966 Sheet of 2 f! 15 J0 l 14 M 6g 20 .98 1371 fi/ezz Z013 106 ((a) I v (a) 2 whiz flzosiyl j 134 F0berz l.Carp e GA TE v ma JOLENOI0 v Dec. 31, 1968 J. P, KLosK ET AL 3,419,328 I IMAGING OF LITHCGRAPHIC MASTERS Filed May 11, 1966 Sheet 2 fi/enfors." Jb/zzz P flo /cg, 720mm Z; Carper United States Patent 3,419,328 IMAGING OF LITHOGRAPHIC MASTERS John P. Klosky, Euclid, and Robert L. Carper, Eastlake,

Ohio, assignors to Addressograph Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 549,305 11 Claims. (Cl. 355-106) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Coordinated advance of a sheet to be copied, termed an original and a potential electrostatic master, through an exposure station and then to a separation station. Failsafe electrical sensors determine the presence of the original in a safe return station, and abort all sheets from the process path in the absence of safe arrival of the original. The original to be copied triggers a sensor to start a master moving into a coordinated path with the original through an exposure station. The master is extended slightly beyond the lead edge of the original and therefore is caught by a swinging finger separating device to lift the master into a process path and allow the original to drop into a path leading to the machine exterior.

This invention relates to copying machines and to master imaging machines of the contact printing type and, more particularly, concerns means for controlling and sensing the movement and relationship of copy paper or master with the original matter to be copied, permitting interruption of the copying or master making process when an irregular condition arises.

For convenience, the description hereinafter is couched in terms of imaging masters from which additional copies may be printed, but it will be understood that the making of ordinary photocopies is also contemplated whenever the comments are pertinent thereto.

Contact printing, in the sense herein used concerning business machines, involves a well-known technique of exposing a light-sensitive sheet through the subject matter to be copied, which is commonly referred to in the art as an original, producing a latent image thereon and subsequently developing the image for use as a copy or as a master in conjunction with other reproduction processes.

A wide variety of materials may be used as copy sheets or masters, it being a primary requirement that they possess light sensitivity. In perfecting the image on a master, it is necessary to develop and fix the latent image or otherwise treat the master in accordance with the intended end use. In describing this invention, reference will be made to an electrophotographic master, which may be imaged by well-known electrostatic techniques. Imaging apparatus which handles electrophotographic masters includes development operations which apply either dry or liquid developer, the former usually followed by a high temperature fixing step. In the circumstances where the master is to be employed as a lithographic master, the electrophotographic sheet must also be treated with a conversion solution to give it the proper differential receptivity to ink and moisture.

It is a requirement of master imaging apparatus of the contact type that the original document be committed into the machine in order to effect the contact pressure. Contemporary apparatus of this general type requires manual collating of the original and master into an assemblage to assure proper placement of the sheets, and then hand feeding the assemblage into the machine. After exposure, the assemblage is manually intercepted, the original removed, and the master then manually fed into a machine for development. This procedure is time con- "ice suming and inefiicient, although it assures proper placement of the sheets for exposure and also avoids the possibility of the original being carried through to the development step where it could possibly be damaged.

It is an object of this invention that a master imaging machine process the master and original through the machine to generate a finished master without human intervention.

It is, a further object and feature of such automatic imaging machine of this invention that the original be protected from accidently going through the developing step by being separated from the master after contact exposure has been completed.

Master imaging machines can be used as an integral part of more complex equipment, in which case the perfected master is utilized to duplicate a number of copies such as, for example, by lithographic means. The master sheet is mechanically transferred to and used by mechanism which will make use of it in this way.

It will be apparent that to qualify as a truly perfected master, the full image from the original document should be properly located on the master. A full image will occur when the original is superimposed on the master during exposure in such a way that the latter encompasses the full image area of the former.

Whenever this master is used in a device wherein the master is forwarded by the imaging machine to the duplicator without human intervention and multiple copies are produced from the master, then the master with an incomplete image or improperly located image should be diverted from the imaging apparatus to prevent the possibility of duplicating a large number of defective copies.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved automatic master imaging machine capable of recognizing an irregular condition during imaging that results in a defective master or which could damage the original document, and of interrupting the imaging process to prevent damaging the original or production and forwarding of a defective master.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved imaging machine that will reject the assemblage of master and original in the event the original is not separated from the master after exposure.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide an improved imaging machine that will reject the master if it has been improperly positioned on the original during exposure.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved imaging machine capable of feeding the sheets in a predetermined relationship for proper imaging and separation.

Briefly, in accordance with these and other objects of the invention, a contact printing apparatus involving the preferred embodiment of the present invention will comprise an arrangement of driving rollers and guide elements for moving and guiding the original sheet and the master sheet into the apparatus along an original path and a master path in predetermined relationship with one another. The apparatus includes an entryway for the original document, and a master feed assembly which feeds unexposed masters from a supply stack in response to the insertion of an original document into the entryway. An original document inserted into the machine engages a sheet sensing switch in a control circuit for apparatus which feeds a master sheet slightly in advance of the original in order to facilitate the later separation of the sheets.

The machine includes additional guide elements and rollers merging the two separate paths to a common delivery path which brings the original into superimposed position on the unexposed master for delivery through the exposure station as an assemblage. Separating means are provided for separating the master from the original document as the assemblage emerges from the exposure means and for guiding the separated sheets along separate paths. The path into which the original is guided causes it to exit from the machine to a receiving station. The path for the master is provided with an ejection assembly to side-track the assemblage should it pass the separation station without being properly separated.

As the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention proceeds, it will be seen that sensing switches are provided to determine the location of the original document and the master in relationship to one another and to the guiding apparatus through the machine, in order to permit the sheets and assemblage to progress normally through the machine, or to eject all sheets that pass through in the event of a mis-match or misplacement.

The monitoring system hereinafter described uses to advantage the fact that one of the sheets fed to the machine has a fixed, predetermined length, by arranging the span between the entryway switch and the downstream sensing switch less than the fixed sheet length.

In accordance with the paramount features of this invention, a control circuit is provided which can recognize conditions whenever the sheet may be fed out of sequence, such as when one sheet moves too far in advance of the other, which condition will result in an improper image. If the master leads the original by too large a margin, its presence in the master path will be sensed out of sequence, that is, too far ahead of the original, thereby actuating an ejection means. If the original document is out of place, aligned with or ahead of the master, it will not separate from the master and hence will follow the master path. This condition is recognized by the apparatus of this invention and the improper assemblage is ejected.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic section elevation illustrating the machine of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detailed elevation of the sheet separator assembly drawn to a larger scale than FIGURE 1, taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIGURE 3a;

FIGURES 3a and3b are cross sectional views taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2 showing two different positions of the sheet separating assembly; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic representation of the control circuit for the machine.

Having reference now to the drawings, and initially to the FIGURE 1, the master imaging machine characterized by the features of the invention is designated generally by the reference character 10, and includes a housing suggested diagrammatically by outline 11. A master sheet feeding assembly 12 is shown with a supply stack 14 of individual masters M which are disposed in a horizontal tray 15. A starting roller 16 is positioned for cooperation with a supply stack of masters for moving the top sheet from the stack and feeding it into the machine.

Near the upper portion of the housing 11, a feed-in station 17, which includes a generally horizontal platform 18, is so positioned that an original to be copied is directed by platform 18 into the machine.

As set forth in the objects above, it is the intent of the apparatus to cause the feed roller 16 to feed a master sheet from the top of supply stack 14 in response to the act of placing an original sheet into the machine. The machine includes an electrostatic charge unit 19 at the exit side of feeding assembly 12, which applies a blanket electrostatic charge to a master sheet as it is fed from the stack.

An exposure station 20 located downstream from unit 19 includes a transparent drum 22 containing a light source 24. Drum 22 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by support means not shown in the drawing. The original document and charged master are fed to station 20 by an arrangement of rollers and guide elements defining an original document path and a master path indicated generally as 26 and 28 respectively, which guide the sheets through the entire machine. The original path merges with the master path for a portion of its length to feed the sheets in superimposed relation as an assemblage through the exposure station. This feeding is accomplished through the cooperation of the transparent drum 22 and a continuous conveyor belt 30. Belt 30 is stretched around three drive rollers 66, 68 and 69.

After the master has been exposed, the assemblage proceeds to a separating station where the master is parted from the original document by a sheet separating assembly indicated generally by reference 34. After separation, the master is caused to continue on one separate path, and the original document is advanced along an exit path 40, which is the terminal portion of the original path 26.

There is included in the separating station, subsequent to assemly 34, an ejection assembly indicated generally by reference 36 for diverting the sheets from the machine in response to recognition by the control circuit of an irregular condition. The ejection assembly comprises a gate element 42 in the master path which acts to divert the master and any other sheet from this path when moved from the full line position to the outline position illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The original document is fed along a path designated by the line 0 beginning above platform 18 and ending in an arrow pointer head at the bottom of the machine. Reference may be made to original 0 in the sense of a sheet of material, or its total path. Likewise, masters M and the path M are interchangeable.

The original document referred to in the drawings by the representative symbol 0 is fed from the platform 18 into the original path 26 to initiate the operation of a sheet starting control and thereby cause rotation of the starting roller 16 to feed a sheet from the top of the master supply stack 14 into the master path 28. The original path 26, which guides the original document to the exposure station 20, begins with rollers 46 and 48, operated by a magnetic clutch (not shown), and continues as guide elements 50 and 52. The beginning of master path 28 is defined by driven roller sets 54, 56; and 58, 60, and the guide elements 62 and 64. The charging unit 19 straddles the path 28 between the roller sets for imparting a blanket electrostatic charge to a master passing therethrough. The guide elements 50, 52 of path 26 merge with guide elements 62, 64 of path 28 to provide a common path for the two sheets.

The two sheets are fed in superimposed relation to the exposure station 20 where they are received between the transparent cylinder 22 and the continuous conveyor belt 30. An arcuate run of the belt 30 is trained around about a portion of the surface of cylinder 22 to define an exposure path, and the belt 30 cooperates with the cylinder to hold the two sheets in superimposed position in contact with the cylinder as the material is moved through the exposure path by the moving belt on the rotatable cylinder 22.

The merged paths 26 and 28 leaving the exposure station 20 guide the assemblage to a pair of driven rollers 70 and 72 via guide elements 74, 76 and into the sheet separator assembly 34. Beyond the separator assembly 34 the paths 26 and 28 take independent courses. The original path 26 continues along as original discharge path 40 defined by guide elements 78 and 80, and a sheet therein is discharged from the machine by rollers 81 and 82.

A set of rollers 84, 85 and guide elements 86, 88 define the continuation of the master path 28 leading to a developing station 38. Station 38 comprises a known type of magnetic brush developer 90 and a radiant heat fuser 92.

Disposed adjacent and prior to the guide elements 86, 88 defining the continuation of the master path, is the gate 42 swingably mounted so as to be movable to an open position as shown in the dotted lines in FIGURE 1.

When gate 42 is in the dotted outline position, it acts as a track switch and causes the master to be diverted from the machine along a path passing between guide elements 94, 96. In the closed position of gate 42, indicated by the solid lines, the master path 28 is open to permit free passage of the master.

In order to control the start of an operation by the insertion of an exemplar original, and to thereafter sense the location and condition of sheet registration, a series of sensing elements are strategically positioned along the master path 28 and the original path 26. A master entry sensing switch 98 with an operator arm 100, is positioned at the entryway to the master path 28 to sense the entry of a master started by roller 16. Downstream, at a point just beyond the separator assembly 34, are disposed an original exit path switch 102 with its operator arm 104 interposed in the terminal portion 40 of the path 26, and a master path switch 106 with its operator arm 108 interposed in path 28.

At the entry to original document path 26 are located a pair of feed switches 110 and 112 with their operators 111 and 113 respectively, which sense the entry of the original. These, in cooperative association with another switch 114 and its operator 116 located beyond exposure station 20, are effective to control the light source 24, the charge unit 19 and the master feed assembly 12.

In the master ejection path between guide ways 94 and 96 there is positioned sensing switch 117 with its opera tor 118 which senses the presence of the sheet being diverted from the machine.

The operation of the machine employs the concept of positioning the master and original with their lead edges slightly offset from one another so that one sheet overhangs the other. In the particular form being described, the master projects a short distance, e.g. one-quarter inch, beyond the lead edge of the original document. This condition permits the separating assembly (FIGURES 2, 3a and 3b) to be effective in parting the sheets.

Manually feeding of the original document at feed in station 17 between the clutch driven rollers 46, 48 will cause the lead edge of the document to actuate the operator arm 111 of switch 110. Switch 110, when so actuated, operate to declutch the rollers 46, 48, to stop further advance of the original document. Switch 110 also acts simultaneously to energize the master feed assembly 12, the charge unit 19 and light 24. A master is thus started from supply stack 14 to engage the operator 100 of master entry sensing switch 98.

Closing switch 98 re-energizes the clutch rollers 46, 48 so that the original 0 is reactivated to advance forward in path 26 in timed relationship with the lead edge of the master. The position of the operator 111 at the feed-in station 17, and 100 on switch 98, in relation to the entry point into exposure station 20, where the cylinder 22 engages the belt 30, are pre-set such that the master is required to travel a shorter distance than the original. Hence, the master will arrive at the exposure station slightly ahead of the original so that it will occupy an off-set position with an extended lead edge in relationship to the later arriving original document. It will be appreciated that by adjusting the switch locations, or speed of sheet drivers, or both, it is possible to control and vary the relative superimposed positions of the sheets going through the exposure assembly.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3a and 3b, the separator assembly comprises a pair of pivotally mounted angularly formed separator arms 119, 120 which are effective to lift or strip a master from an original. The original may then be guided and fed out of the machine along the discharge path 40.

Arm 119 is composed of a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending sections 119a, 11% connected by a crosspiece 1190 forming an H configuration. The upper portion of 119a and 11% extend at an angle with respect to the plane of crosspiece 1190. The bottom of each sec- 6 tion 119a and 11% is formed with hooked portions 123 which extend at a sharp angle with respect to the arm 119.

The arm 120 is disposed between the sections 119a, 119b, and is bent about midway along its length. The separator arms 119 and 120 are pivotally mounted on individual fixed rods 121, 122, respectively with the angularly formed arms positioned so that they bend inwardly toward one another, and are arranged so as to extend in front of the exit nip of the rollers 70, 72. The upper edge of the crosspiece 1190 serves as a cam surface engaging the face of the upper segment of the bent arm 120.

As the assemblage comprising the master and original advances to the separator assembly 34, the lead edge of the master abuts the lower portion of the arms 119 and 120 just above the hooks 123, as seen best in FIGURE 30. The motion of the assemblage swings the arms about their spaced pivotal axes. Because the hooks 123 are caught beneath the overhanging margin of the master, the master is caused to move forwardly and upwardly in an arc. Guide 80, which has a bottom surface, forming part of exit path 40, has a point end 79 leading to a top surface defining part of the path 28. The master is lifted by hooks 123 away from path 40, into path 28, clearing the tip 79 of the guide member 80. The lead edge of the original document, not being thus elevated, continues directly into the original exit path 40. As can be seen from FIGURE 31), the swinging motion of the arms brings the face of arm 120 against the upper edge of crossbar 1190 and continued motion of the arms causes a camming action which produces progressive separation of their lower extremities until the arm 120 finally strips the master from the hooks 123, allowing it to fall upon the top surface of guide member which directs it into a continuation of the master path 28.

The arms 119 and are urged in counterclockwise direction by the action of a light torsion spring 125 and when the trailing edge of the master clears the tip 79 of guide member 80, the arms are returned to the normal position of FIGURE 3a by the spring.

Referring to FIGURE 4, there is shown a control circuit which includes means to bring about the ejection of the master and/or the original when an irregular condition occurs necessitating interruption of the imaging process. The control circuit is put into operation by feeding the original document manually between rollers 46, 48 (FIGURE 1). When the operators 111 and 113 of the switches 110 and 112 are actuated by entry of the original document, the alternating current potential supplied by conductors L and L is applied across the master starting control designated 16a (which triggers operation of starter roller 16), the light source 24, the charge unit 19 and the input of a full wave rectifier 126. As a result, a master M is fed off the top of the stack 14 and engages the operator 100 to actuate switch 98, energizing relay 128 and opening normally closed contact 132 and closing normally open contact 134.

Solenoid 130, driving gate 42 of the ejection assembly 36 (FIGURE 1), is placed in circuitry supplied by the output of rectifier 126. The circuit to solenoid 130 includes normally open contact of a relay 136. Relay 136 can be energized along alternate circuits through the contact a or b of switch 102. These alternate circuits for energizing relay 136 are provided via switch contacts 132 and switch 106 on its contact a, or through contact 134 when switch 106 is on contact b.

Energization of the relay 136 will pull the normally open contact 140 closed, energizing the solenoid 130. A holding circuit for maintaining the relay 136 energized is also provided through contacts 138 on the relay when normally open switch 117 is closed by the passage of a sheet or sheets between the guide elements 94, 96 of the master ejection path controlled by gate 42.

To start the operation, an original document is fed between rollers 46, 48 into the original path 26, actuating the operators 111 and 113 of switches 110 and 112, turning on the light source 24, the charge unit 19 and initiating operation of the master feeder 12. A master M is fed by feeder 12 from the top of the stack 14 into the master path 28 engaging operator 100 of switch 98, thereby energizing relay 128 to open contacts 132 and pull in contacts 134.

The master is fed in slightly in advance of the original so as to overhang the original at its lead margin. The two sheets pass through the exposure assembly 20, closing switch 114 which is in parallel connection with switch 110, for holding the illuminating source 24 and the charge unit 19 energized until the sheets clear switch 114.

The illustrated equipment is designed for use with masters M of a predetermined length, and it is important to note that the disposition of the switches 102 in path 40 and 106 in path 28 is such that the distance between operator 100 of switch 98 and operator 108 of switch 106, measured along the paths taken by the sheets, is slightly less than the length of a master M, therefore, the master sheet will actuate both switches simultaneously. The location of operator 104 of switch 102 is such that when normal sheet overlap is present, the original document,

after its lead edge is separated from the master M and directed into the path 40, will actuate switch 102 slightly before the lead edge of master M actuates switch 106 in the master path 28. Switch 106 is next actuated by the master to place the arm on contact b, thereby signalling the presence of the master in its own path 28. In both instances the switches 102 and 106 are both operated be fore the trailing end of the master clears operator 100 of switch 98. Thus, in the normal course of events, because switches 98 and 102 first concurrently sense the presence of a sheet and relay 128 is holding contact 132 open, the circuit that could supply the power to relay 136 via switch 102 is interrupted. Immediately thereafter the lead edge of the master actuates switch 106 to contact 106b electing the circuit through contact 134 which is held in the closed position by the continuous energization of relay 128. With switch 102 actuated to make with contact a of switch 102, the circuit to relay 136 is allowed to remain interrupted. The control circuit, therefore, has recorded a normal condition and the ejection assembly is not energized. The master continues along path 28 through the developing station 38 and the original document exits through path 40 between guide elements 78 and 80.

In the circumstances where the master fails to separate and joins with the original in path 40, switch 102 will record the presence of the assemblage in exit path 40, but switch 106 will not be actuated. Accordingly, relay 128 will be de-energized as soon as the master clears the operator 100 of switch 98, causing normally closed contactor 132 to close. The closed contactor 132 connects the relay 136 across the output terminals of rectifier 126 through contact 106a, and contact 102a. Closing of relay 136 closes contacts 138 and 140.

The solenoid 130 is energized through closed contact 140 thereby opening the gate 42. It will be appreciated that with both sheets in path 40, nothing will pass through the gate 42 which will be held open until the sheets clear the switch 102, thereby permitting switch 102 to return to contact b. The operation of the gate in this instance is related to the fact that relay 136 can carry additional contacts or control a parallel circuit useful for the purpose of cancelling certain preset conditions in a dependent duplicating or other dependent machine in order to ready the dependent machine for operation at once with another original as soon as ejection occurs. The association is represented in FIGURE 4 by the reset means 144 shown as occupying a parallel circuit with solenoid 130 and actuable coincidently therewith.

In another situation, when the original fails to separate and joins the master in path 28, switch 102 remains at normal position in contact with contact b. Switch 106 is operated to contact 106b, completing the circuit via contacts 134 to relay 136, opening gate 42 to divert the assemblage from path 28. As the assemblage is discharged between guide ways 94 and 96, switch 117 is closed by the operator 118, thereby holding the relay 136 energized through contact 138 until the assemblage clears the operator 118. Openingswitch 117 will return the gate 42 to its closed position. This switch 117 prevents closing of the gate 42 while sheets are passing through it.

Should the master be improperly positioned with the original, that is, with the master far ahead of the original so that the image is improperly placed thereon, then switch 106 will sense the presence of the master in path 28 out of sequence with switch 102 thereby energizing relay 136 and opening the gate 42 to eject the master.

Although there would normally be no particular reason in this instance to prevent an ordinary copy from proceeding to completion, it will be recognized when the copier is imaging masters and feeding these masters directly to a dependent duplicator, it would be inadvisable to allow an imperfect master to progress to a point where poor imperfect copies could result.

An alternate condition which could arise would 'be that in which the original is too far ahead of or equal to the master, in which case the action of the separating assembly 34 will be defeated and the original takes the master path, which irregularity will be recognized because switch 102 is not actuated, and the assemblage is disposed of by operation of solenoid 136 to activate solenoid 130 and gate 42.

It will be appreciated that the sequence of switch operation and their location can be varied to meet other predetermined relationships between the master and original that will fall within the principles and scope of this invention. Moreover, while the description refers to a master of a predetermined length, it will be apparent that this refers only to a particular length in relation to the specific equipment with which it is intended to be used. While the drawings and description herein have relation to a device of fixed proportion which is intended to accept masters of only one predetermined" length, it will be readily appreciated that it is possible to make the equipment adjustable, for example, by having switches 98, and 112 movable along the master path, whereby the machine can be set to employ masters of dilferent predetermined lengths.

Whereas the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the best mode contemplated, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom with the scope of the invention which is, therefore, not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a copying machine of the contact printing type for imaging a light sensitive copy sheet from an original sheet;

exposure means and exposed copy treating means;

means for guiding an original and a copy sheet in superimposed relationship into a common path adjacent said exposure means;

separating means for parting said sheets as they leave said exposure means;

guide means for directing said copy sheet after separation into a copy sheet path leading from said separating means to said treating means;

guide means for directing said original sheet after separation into an original sheet :path leading from said separating means in a bypass with respect to said treating means;

detecting means for ascertaining the presence of an original sheet with said copy sheet in said copy sheet path; and

diverting means operative responsively to said detecting means for diverting sheets from said copy sheet path.

2. A copying machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the copy to be made is a master destined for automatic forwarding to a printing device for the making of additional copies therefrom, which further includes:

(a) means to sense whether the sheets were relatively disposed during exposure contact in a predetermined relation designed to place the image properly on the master; and

(b) means, responsive to an indication by said sensing means of improper sheet disposition, for activating said diverting means.

3. In a copying machine of the contact printing type for imaging a light sensitive copy sheet from. an original sheet, entryway means for guiding said original sheet into the machine, exposure means, means providing a copy sheet path and an original path, guide elements directing said sheets from their separate path through the exposure means in contact with one another along a common path, propelling means for moving the sheets along said path, separating means for returning said elements to their separate paths after exposure, further processing means associated with said copy sheet path, first sensing means for sensing the presence of one of said sheets at the entryway into its path, second sensing means in said original path downstream from the separating means for sensing the presence of a sheet therein as said sheet leaves said separating means, sheet ejection means, and control means for actuating said sheet ejection means upon said first sensing means detecting a sheet and returning to a condition of not sensing a sheet prior to sensing of a sheet by said second sensing means.

4. A copying machine as set forth in claim 3 which includes means responsive to the insertion of an original into its path for moving a copy sheet into registration and thereafter maintain said registration through said common path.

5. A copying machine as set forth in claim 4 in Which the separating means is designed to cooperate with an assemblage of sheets in which the lead edge of one sheet slightly overhangs the lead edge of the other, and in which the means for moving the copy sheet effcts a timed movement relationship between it and the original to produce the overhanging relationship required by the separating means.

'6. A copying machine as set forth in claim 3 in which:

(a) the equipment is established for use with copy sheets of a predetermined length;

(b) there is a third sensing means in the said copy sheet path downstream from said separating means;

(c) the second and third sensing means are each so disposed as to be less than the predetermined copy sheet length from the first sensing means measured along the paths traveled by the sheets;

((1) the sheet ejection means is so associated with the third sensing means that it operates to a position to eject sheets when the said copy sheet clears the first sensing means; and

(e) said second and third sensing means having a predetermined order of operation for nullifying said operation of the ejection means by said third sensing means,

whereby the sensing means in the path to said further processing "means will eject all sheets passing therethrough unless rendered inactive by sensing of the original sheet passing in the proper or original path.

7. The machine as defined in claim 3, further characterized in that said ejection means includes a gate device in the copy sheet path operable from a closed to an open position when said sheet ejection means is operated diverting sheets in said copy sheet path to an exit path preventing further processing of said sheets by the machine.

8. The machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said exit path is provided with sensing means and means responsive to the sensing of a sheet in said exit path by said sensing means for holding open said gate until all sheets are clear of its influence before allowing the gate to be returned to closed position.

9. In a copying machine of the contact printing type for imaging a light sensitive copy sheet from an original sheet;

exposure means, means for guiding said sheets into a common path adjacent said exposure means;

means for separating said sheets as they leave the exposure means, said separating means being designed to cooperate with an assemblage of sheets in which the lead edge of one sheet slightly overhangs the lead edge of the other;

means for receiving an original, and propelling it through the path determined by said guide means;

a magazine for holding a supply of copy sheets; and

'means activated by the introduction of an original for starting a copy sheet from said supply source and so propelling it through said path in space relationship to said original so as to present the sheets into said common path in a relationship causing the degree of overhang required by the separating means.

10. A copying machine as set forth in claim 3 in which:

(a) the equipment is intended for use with copy sheets of a predetermined length;

(b) there is a third sensing means in said copy sheet path downstream from said separating means;

(c) the second and third sensing means are disposed less than the predetermined copy sheet length from the first sensing means measured along the paths traveled by the sheets; and

(d) the sheet ejection means includes circuitry so connecting said sensing means and ejection means that unless the second and third sensing means are operated in a predetermined sequence before the first sensing means is released, the ejection means is actuated to eject the sheets and prevent further treatment thereof.

11. A copying machine as defined in claim 10 further characterized in that:

said ejection means is solenoid driven, and said sensing means are switches in circuitry to deliver power to said solenoid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,034,413 5/1962 Stuc'kens 77.5 3,112,926 12/ 1963 Stuckens 271-64 3,211,451 10/ 1965 Masterson 9577.5 3,215,065 11/1965 Campbell et al 9575 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES B. FUNK, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

